In this episode we talk about how guilt can remain even after forgiveness, and we focus on 1 John 1:9 as a reminder that confession brings real forgiveness. We discuss how people can keep replaying past mistakes and shaping their identity around them, while God’s forgiveness is complete. We encourage honest confession and a choice to leave forgiven burdens with God, and we close with a prayer for freedom from guilt and trust in grace.
If Bible Bytes Daily Devotionals has encouraged you in your walk with Christ and deepened your understanding of Scripture, we invite you to partner with us in continuing this work. Your support helps cover the time, study, and production needed to faithfully create each episode. You can learn more and give any amount at bible-bytes.com/support using PayPal or Venmo.
Music by Martin Willer from Pixabay.
00:00:00,017 –> 00:00:11,497
Randy Black:
Even when we know that God forgives, it can still be hard to let go of our past.
2
00:00:14,337 –> 00:00:21,237
Randy Black:
Welcome to Bible Bites Daily Devotionals, a weekday devotional to help you stay grounded in God’s Word.
3
00:00:25,362 –> 00:00:39,682
Randy Black:
1 John 1, verse 9 says this, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.
4
00:00:40,982 –> 00:00:49,842
Randy Black:
That is 100% a promise, not a possibility.
5
00:00:52,342 –> 00:01:00,282
Randy Black:
In our lives, guilt has a way of lingering. It sticks around.
6
00:01:00,982 –> 00:01:10,202
Randy Black:
Even after we’ve asked for forgiveness, we can still carry the weight of what we’ve done.
7
00:01:11,462 –> 00:01:15,782
Randy Black:
It’s part of our nature. We replay it.
8
00:01:16,702 –> 00:01:20,762
Randy Black:
We think about it. We dwell on it.
9
00:01:21,262 –> 00:01:25,622
Randy Black:
We let it define how we see ourselves.
10
00:01:27,302 –> 00:01:33,102
Randy Black:
But when God forgives, man, he does so completely.
11
00:01:34,342 –> 00:01:36,442
Randy Black:
He doesn’t hold it over you.
12
00:01:37,742 –> 00:01:43,382
Randy Black:
He doesn’t bring it back up. He doesn’t partially forgive.
13
00:01:45,622 –> 00:01:52,002
Randy Black:
And when we continue to carry guilt around after God has forgiven us,
14
00:01:52,302 –> 00:01:57,222
Randy Black:
we’re holding on to something that He has already released.
15
00:01:59,742 –> 00:02:07,242
Randy Black:
Forgiveness isn’t something that you have to earn, but it’s something that God
16
00:02:07,242 –> 00:02:09,182
Randy Black:
has already offered you.
17
00:02:10,102 –> 00:02:17,082
Randy Black:
And learning to accept that forgiveness is part of growing in your relationship with Him.
18
00:02:19,898 –> 00:02:24,958
Randy Black:
Today, let go of what God has already forgiven.
19
00:02:25,938 –> 00:02:32,298
Randy Black:
If there’s something that you’ve been holding on to, bring it to God honestly.
20
00:02:33,858 –> 00:02:34,998
Randy Black:
Confess it.
21
00:02:36,878 –> 00:02:43,678
Randy Black:
Acknowledge it. And then make the choice to leave it with Him.
22
00:02:44,738 –> 00:02:50,198
Randy Black:
Because you don’t have to carry what He has already taken from you.
23
00:02:53,798 –> 00:02:59,938
Randy Black:
Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you that when we come to you,
24
00:03:00,358 –> 00:03:03,598
Randy Black:
you are faithful to forgive us completely.
25
00:03:05,138 –> 00:03:13,178
Randy Black:
Help us let go of the guilt that we carry and help us to trust in your grace.
26
00:03:14,878 –> 00:03:19,738
Randy Black:
Teach us to live in the freedom that comes from being forgiven.
27
00:03:20,938 –> 00:03:24,878
Randy Black:
In the name of your son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.
28
00:03:30,338 –> 00:03:33,878
Randy Black:
This has been Bible Bytes Daily Devotionals.
29
00:03:34,278 –> 00:03:39,358
Randy Black:
Join me on our next episode as we work to stay grounded in God’s Word.